Construction worker slain in eastern New Orleans

A 42-year-old man was shot to death and a 22-year-old man wounded when they were robbed while renovating an eastern New Orleans apartment complex Friday afternoon, police said.

The dead man was a Mexican citizen, and the younger man was believed to be his nephew, said John Gagliano, chief investigator for the New Orleans coroner's office.

They were working in a first-floor apartment of a complex at 8017 Trapier Ave. about 2:15 p.m. when a man with a gun entered the apartment and demanded their money, police spokesman Officer Garry Flot said.

The workers complied, police said, apparently handing over money. It is unclear what happened next, but the man shot both of the workers. The older victim died in the apartment; the younger one ran outside and collapsed just outside the gate to the complex, officers said.

Police were interviewing people in the area to see if they can find anyone who saw the suspect. The fourplex where the crime occurred is vacant, but there are several other occupied complexes on the block.

The incident took place across the street from an arson fire that displaced eight families earlier this week. There was no arrest in that case, and police said they have no evidence that the two incidents are related.